Volunteering with the National Park Service, a guest blog by Emily Tyburski

Emily Tyburski is a Michigan State University college student studying sustainability. She had an opportunity this summer to join National Park Service (NPS) Conservation Legacy Fellow Kendall Gilbert, who works for the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program of NPS on a field visit day in August. This field visit was critical for gathering park usage data, collecting photos, and surveying the shoreline from the vantage point of a kayak!

Below is Emily's guest blog about her day spent volunteering with the Upper Detroit Riverfront Habitat and Parks Restoration Project.

With a National Park Service employee, I had the opportunity to spend a day visiting two of the parks that are part of the Upper Detroit Riverfront Project, AB Ford and Mariner Park. It was not until I was introduced to the Upper Detroit Riverfront Project that I was introduced to the parks themselves.

In the morning, we walked around AB Ford and Mariner and did some observing. Both parks were populated with many trees, and we saw quite a few birds. There were also playgrounds and soccer fields. The riverfront property had beautiful views of the water and Belle Isle, with canals running around and between AB Ford and Mariner. Along the canals were so many homes that added a very unique, urban atmosphere. The setting was truly beautiful.

In our time there, we saw a few people walking, some children on the playground, and several boaters and kayakers. Even with the visitors we saw though, there still were not many people at AB Ford or Mariner, considering the space they provided. There were some improvements that could be beneficial to the community members surrounding the parks, and probably attract more visitors. Being in such a beautiful location right in the city, they should be able to offer several opportunities to all ages. Litter was an issue in both AB Ford and Mariner, as it was clearly difficult to dispose of trash.

After spending the morning observing, we drove just a few minutes to a vibrant area of the city of Detroit and ate lunch at Lafayette’s Coney. This part of the day put in perspective just how unique an opportunity these parks present. Having the ability to enjoy a beautiful park, and then jump right back into a busy city offers so much variety to anyone visiting, or living near, the parks.

After lunch, using Detroit River Sport kayaks, we kayaked through the canals and around AB Ford and Mariner. This allowed us to see more of the water and the homes in the area. The setting was different than any other park I had ever seen, with the Detroit houses right on the canal, and it was all such a beautiful view.

These parks are beautiful, and they can offer so much to the communities surrounding them. Their unique design makes them true parks of the Motor City, and I look forward to seeing where the Upper Detroit Riverfront Project takes them.

By Emily Tyburski

National Park Service Volunteer